What to Buy For Your First Sex Toy?

Sex toys are more common than ever before. The pandemic sent sex toy sales skyrocketing—a survey found that 43% of couples reported more frequent sex toy usage. The survey found that some of the most common sex toy purchases were vibrators, dildos, couple’s toys, male strokers, and butt plugs. It’s not just couples who purchased more toys during the pandemic, though; singles did too. This goes to show, sex toys are for everyone, regardless if you’re doing it solo or with a boo. Sex toys are for any gender and can be used to enhance self-exploration or partnered sex.

If you’re unsure where to get started, you’re in the right place. This guide will cover common starter toys and other considerations to help you decide what to buy for your first sex toy. You’ve probably seen a few toys covered in popular tv and film over the ages. Maybe the infamous rabbit vibrator scene with Charlotte in Sex and the City rings a bell. Perhaps close friends have raved to you about their new toy and what it can do. But, how do you know if it’s right for you? Let’s dive in!

Most Common Toys

When shopping for your first toy, a great place to start is a brief overview of the most common sex toys. First off, common sex toys include vibrators, dildos, butt plugs, cock rings, and an assortment of BDSM gear.

Years ago, there used to be just a few selections of vibrators in sex toy shops. But now, there are infinite options in vibrators, and you can pick one up at places as common as the grocery store. Some common vibes to choose from are rabbit vibrators, which commonly have dual-stimulation in that one end fits in the vaginal canal, and the other stimulates the clitoris.

Magic Wands have a large tennis-ball-like shape and are used for powerful external stimulation. Bullet vibes are small and can fit snuggly in a harness during pegging or dildo sex. There are even vibrators that look just like lipstick, so they can always fit inconspicuously in your purse for any time you might need them.

Dildos are used manually, which means you can wear them with a harness or hold them for anal or vaginal penetration. There are all shapes of dildos, some look just like realistic penises, and others don’t. What you choose completely depends on your individual preference. If you’re new to penetration, start with a smaller option!

Just like dildos, butt plugs come in all shapes and sizes. The most important feature of a butt plug is its wide disc-shaped stopper at the end, preventing it from getting lost in the rectum. Start with a smaller option so you can get used to the sensation of anal penetration, either during solo play or with partners, before moving on to something larger. With all anal toys, always use a generous amount of lube as the anus is not self-lubricating.

Cock rings fit around the base of the penis and are typically a common choice for restricting blood flow, thus causing stronger and longer erections. Pro tip: if you’re using cock rings during penetration, choose a vibrating one! They can feel amazing for a partner, too.

If you’re new to the world of BDSM and have absolutely no idea where to start, begin by considering the type of sensation you’d like to feel or would like a potential partner to experience (with their consent, of course.) Impact and restraint toys are two of the most common sensations for BDSM toys. Impact toys can include floggers, crops, and paddles. Restraints include handcuffs, rope, under-the-bed restraints, or even body-safe tape.

Materials

Some materials are safer than others when it comes to sex toys. Opt for toys made of body-safe materials and are non-porous so that you can guarantee to get them clean each time after usage. Just as safe ingredients are essential when choosing what to grab at the grocery store, body-safe materials matter with what you’re putting inside or touching to your genitals.

Reviews and Pricing Considerations

Just as you might read reviews of a new restaurant before choosing to dine there, you can look up reviews of sex toys! A sex toy blogger’s primary job is to report on every detail you might need to know about a toy, from how intense an orgasm is that it brings, to how cute the color is.

If pricing is a consideration for you, look up a few sites and see what a toy typically goes for. Remember that you want the best materials possible for something making contact with such sensitive areas, so it’s not always best to choose the cheapest option.

Another important reminder? Power or intensity level doesn’t always equate to pleasure. It’s worth it to splurge on toys that have great reviews, offer sensations you’re interested in, and are made from the best materials.

Questions to Help You Choose What to Buy for Your First Sex Toy

Have a few items in your cart that you’re trying to narrow down? You might consider these questions to help you decide what to buy.

• Which toy sparks your curiosity?
• Will you be using this solo or with a partner? If with a partner, is it something your partner has expressed an interest in?

• What have you always wanted to try that you’ve never let yourself?
• What sensations feel good to you? Does the toy you’re choosing offer that sensation?

Remember, you can always purchase more toys in the future. Part of the beauty of sexuality is that it’s constantly evolving. Should your sexual preferences change, there are always new toys to meet you just where you are at.